American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

scrape

hand. see (SCRAPE THE) BOTTOM OF THE BARREL; BOW AND SCRAPE; SCARE (SCRAPE) UP.

scrape together

hand. see SCARE UP.

scrape up an acquaintance

Make an effort to become familiar with someone, especially for one's own benefit. For example, He scraped up an acquaintance with the college president in hopes of getting his son admitted. This term uses scrape in the sense of "gather with difficulty" (also see under SCARE UP). Originally

put as scrape acquaintance, it was first recorded in 1600.

scratch

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SCRATCH, also see FROM SCRATCH; UP

TO PAR (SCRATCH).

scratch one's head

Express puzzlement or perplexity, think hard, as in They scratched their heads over this vexing question, but no one knew the answer. Although literally scratching one's head may simply betoken the fact that it itches, it also may indicate mental mystification or bewilderment. The term's figurative use dates from the first half of the 1900s.

scratch someone's back

Do someone a favor in hopes that a favor will be returned. For example, I don't mind driving this time?

she's scratched my back plenty of times. It also is put as you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, as in If you do the laundry I'll do the cooking?

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. This idiom was first recorded in 1704.

scratch the surface

Investigate or treat something superficially, as in This feed-the-hungry program only scratches the surface of the problem, or Her survey course barely scratches the surface of economic history. This metaphoric term transfers shallow markings made in a stone or other material to a shallow treatment of a subject or issue. [Early 1900s]

scream bloody murder

Angrily protest as loudly as possible, as in When Jimmy took her teddy bear, Lauren screamed bloody murder, or Residents are screaming bloody murder about the increase in property taxes.

The scream here may be either literal (as in the first example) or figurative, which is also true of

invoking murder as though one were in danger of being killed. Versions of this term, such as cry murder, date from the 1400s.

screw

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SCREW, also see HAVE A SCREW

LOOSE; PLUCK (SCREW) UP ONE'S COURAGE; TIGHTEN THE SCREWS; TURN UP THE HEAT (PUT THE SCREWS ON).

screw around

1. Fool around aimlessly, accomplishing nothing, as in If you boys would stop screwing around we'd have the fence painted in an hour. It is also put as screw around with, as in Stop screwing around with the new camera. The idiom probably derives from screw in the sense of "turn" or "twist." [Slang; second half of 1900s] 2. Be sexually promiscuous, as in He's been screwing around behind her back for years. [Vulgar slang; first half of 1900s]

screw loose

hand. see HAVE A SCREW LOOSE.

screw someone out of

Cheat, deceive, or defraud someone, as in They screwed me out of my overtime pay again. It is often rendered in the passive, be or get screwed, meaning "be cheated, deceived, or defrauded." For example, We're getting screwed by this new income tax regulation. [Slang; c. 1900]

PLUCK UP ONE'S COURAGE. 2. Make a mess of an undertaking; also, make a mistake, as in I really screwed up this report, or She said she was sorry, admitting that she had screwed up. Some authorities believe this usage is a euphemism for FUCK UP. [Slang; c. 1940] 3. Injure, damage, as in

I screwed up my back lifting all those heavy books. [Slang] 4. Make neurotic or anxious, as in Her family really screwed her up, but her therapist has helped her a lot. [Slang; mid-1900s]

screw up one's courage

hand. see PLUCK UP ONE'S COURAGE.

screw you

Go to hell, as in You won't help after all? Well, screw you! A euphemism for the still ruder FUCK

YOU, this slangy term dates from the mid-1900s.

scrimp and save

Economize severely, spend as little as possible, as in For years we had to scrimp and save, but now

we can enjoy life more. [Mid-1800s]

scrounge around

Forage about in an effort to obtain something at no cost, as in We scrounged around their kitchen looking for a snack. It derives from the dialectal scrunge, "steal." [Colloquial; c. 1900]

scrounge up

Find or round up something, as in I'll have to scrounge up another microphone for today's speaker.

[Colloquial; c. 1900]

scrub up

Thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]

Scylla

hand. see BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS).

sea

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SEA, also see AT SEA; BETWEEN A ROCK

AND A HARD PLACE (DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA); HIGH SEAS; NOT THE ONLY FISH IN THE SEA; PUT OUT (TO SEA).

seal

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SEAL, also see LIPS ARE SEALED; SET

ONE'S SEAL ON; SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED.

sea legs

The ability to adjust to a new situation or difficult conditions, as in She's only spoken in public a few times; she hasn't found her sea legs yet. This expression was first recorded in 1712 and then referred to, as it still does, the ability to walk steadily on board ship, especially in rough seas. By the late 1800s it was being transferred to other challenging situations.

seal of approval

An endorsement of something or someone, as in Our candidate doesn't have the governor's seal of approval, or The new management gave the old refund policy their seal of approval. This idiom was used, and perhaps invented, as an advertising gimmick of Good Housekeeping Magazine, which gave its so-called "seal of approval" to products it endorsed; the products' packaging in turn bore a small emblem attesting to this endorsement. The noun seal here is used in the same sense

as in SET ONE'S SEAL ON.

seal off Also, seal up. Close tightly or barricade to prevent entry or exit. For example, We're sealing off the unused wing of the building, or The jar is tightly sealed up. Dating from the first half

of the 1900s, this idiom uses seal in the sense of "close securely," as one used to do with a seal of wax.

seal one's fate

Decide what will become of one, as in The letter of rejection sealed his fate; he'd have to apply to other medical schools. This term employs seal in the sense of "permanently fix or fasten something," a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

seam

hand. see BURST AT THE SEAMS; COME APART AT THE SEAMS.

seamy side

The sordid or base aspect of something, as in This nightclub certainly shows you the seamy side of the community. This term refers to the wrong side of a garment, revealing the stitched seams. Shakespeare used it figuratively in Othello (4:2): "That turn'd your wit the seamy side without."

search

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SEARCH, also see HIGH AND LOW,

SEARCH; IN SEARCH OF.

search me

I don't know the answer to that, as in Where's John??

Search me, I haven't seen him for weeks. This expression in effect means "you can investigate me completely for the information you want but you won't find it." [Slang; c. 1900]

season

hand. see IN SEASON; OPEN SEASON.

seat

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SEAT, also see BACKSEAT DRIVER;

CAT-BIRD SEAT; HOT SEAT; IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT; RINGSIDE SEAT; TAKE A BACK SEAT.

seat of the pants, by the

Using intuition and improvisation rather than method or experience, as in He ran the business by the seat of his pants. This expression was invented by World War II fliers, who used it to describe flying when instruments were not working or weather interfered with visibility. It was transferred to broader use soon after the war.

second

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SECOND, also see AT SECOND HAND;

COME OFF (SECOND BEST); IN A FLASH (SECOND); IN THE FIRST (SECOND) PLACE; ON SECOND THOUGHT; PLAY SECOND FIDDLE; SPLIT SECOND; TOP (SECOND) BANANA.

second banana

hand. see under TOP BANANA.

second best Also, second class. Next after the first in rank or quality, inferior to the best, as in

We aren't satisfied with being second best in sales, or This hotel is obviously second class. The first term dates from the first half of the 1400s, the variant from about 1800. Also see COME OFF,

def. 2; SECOND CLASS.

second childhood

The dotage of old age; also, childlike playfulness in an adult. For example, Grandpa needs full-time care, now that he's in his second childhood, or Since he retired and started learning to fly, he's been in his second childhood. Depending on the context, this term may allude either to such problems of old age as losing one's mental or physical capacities or to delighting in new pleasures in a childlike fashion.

Traveling second class on European trains is not only cheaper but gives you more contact with local people. [c. 1840] 3. In the United States and Canada, a category of mail consisting of periodicals and newspapers. [c. 1870] 4. second-class citizen. An individual regarded or treated as inferior to others in status or rights, an underprivileged person. For example, In many countries women still are considered second-class citizens. This term uses second class in the sense of "inferior." [c. 1940]

second cousin

Something that is related or similar but not quite the same, as in This beef stew is second cousin to boeuf bourguignon. This expression transfers the literal sense of second cousin?

that is, the child of the first cousin of one's mother or father?

a usage dating from the mid-1600s.

second fiddle

hand. see PLAY SECOND FIDDLE.

second hand

hand. see AT SECOND HAND.

second nature

A habit or mode of behavior so long practiced that it seems innate, as in Driving in heavy traffic is second nature to Chris. This expression is a shortened form of an ancient proverb, Custom (or usage) is a second nature, first recorded in 1390. It alludes to the fact that very frequently repeating something makes it seem completely natural or inborn.

second sight

Clairvoyance, as in Jane must have second sight; she knew exactly where Dad had mislaid his keys. This expression, alluding to the supposed power of someone to perceive an event in the future or distance as though actually present, dates from the early 1600s.

second thoughts

hand. see ON SECOND THOUGHT.

second to none

The best, as in Mom's chocolate cake is second to none. Shakespeare was among the first to use this term in The Comedy of Errors (5:1), when Angelo speaks warmly of Antipholus of Syracuse: "Of credit infinite, highly belov'd, second to none that lives here."

second wind

Restored energy or strength, enabling one to continue an activity or task. For example, I wasn't sure how far they'd get in a week, but now they seem to have gotten their second wind and are making good progress painting the mural. This expression, dating from the late 1800s, was at first (and still is) used for returned ease in breathing after becoming out of breath during physical exertion such as running. It soon began to be applied to nonphysical efforts as well.

secret

hand. see IN SECRET; OPEN SECRET.

security

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with SECURITY, also see LULL INTO (FALSE

SENSE OF SECURITY).

security blanket

Something that dispels anxiety, as in I always carry my appointments calendar; it's my security blanket. This colloquial term, dating from about 1960, was at first (and still is) used for the blanket or toy or other object held by a young child to reduce anxiety.

see

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with SEE, also see AS FAR AS I CAN SEE;

BEGIN TO SEE DAYLIGHT; CAN'T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE'S NOSE; CAN'T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES; I'LL BE SEEING YOU; I SEE; LET ME SEE; LONG TIME NO SEE; SO I SEE; WAIT AND SEE. Also see under SEEN.

see about

1. Also, see to. Attend to, take care of, as in I'll see about the refreshments if you'll handle the tickets, or Will you see to the outdoor chores? The variant is also put as see to it, as in Yes, I'll see to it that everything's done. [First half of 1800s] 2. Investigate, as in I'm not sure, but I'll see about the cost of renting a van. Also see LOOK INTO.

see after

hand. see LOOK AFTER.

see a man about a dog

Excuse oneself without giving the real reason for leaving, especially to go to the toilet or have an alcoholic drink. For example, Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog. This euphemistic term dates from the Prohibition days of the 1920s, when buying liquor was illegal, and, after repeal, was transferred to other circumstances.

see beyond one's nose

hand. see CAN'T SEE BEYOND THE END OF ONE'S NOSE.

seed

hand. see RUN TO SEED.

see daylight

hand. see BEGIN TO SEE DAYLIGHT.

see double

See two images of one object, either as an illusion or owing to some visual aberration, especially one caused by intoxication. For example, Those twins look so much alike they make me think I'm seeing double, or One more drink and I'll be seeing double. This idiom was first recorded in 1628.

see eye to eye

Agree completely, as in I'm so glad we see eye to eye on whom we should pick for department head. This expression appears in the Bible (Isaiah 52:8). [c. 1600]

see fit

Deem appropriate, as in He's entitled to divide up his property as he sees fit, or If we see fit to attend, we'll be there. This expression uses see in the sense of "view as," a usage dating from

about 1325.

seeing is believing

Only physical or concrete evidence is convincing, as in She wrote us that she's lost twenty pounds, but seeing is believing. This idiom was first recorded in this form in 1639.

seeing that Also, seeing as or seeing as how. In view of, inasmuch as. For example, Seeing that you're coming anyhow, I decided not to take notes for you, or Seeing as they liked her first book, they were sure to make a good offer for the second one. The first expression was used by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar (2:2): "Seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come." The variants are colloquialisms and are recorded from the second half of the 1900s, although they probably have been in much longer use orally.

seeing things

Experiencing hallucinations or delusions, as in I thought I saw my father, but I must have been seeing things; he died twenty years ago. [First half of 1900s]

see into

1. Investigate; see LOOK INTO. 2. Understand the true character or nature of, as in

Mother could see into Mary very well and knew exactly what she was up to.

Shakespeare used this idiom in 2 Henry VI (3:1): "Well hath your Highness seen into this duke."

seek

hand. see PLAY HIDE AND SEEK.

seen better days, have

Be worn out, have fallen into a state of decline, as in This chair has seen better days, or The family business has seen better days. This term was first used by Shakespeare to describe a decline of fortune (Timon of Athens, 4:2) but soon was broadened to describe aging or deterioration in both humans and objects.

seen one, seen them all

One example suffices, as in I'm afraid I don't care for home movies?

seen one, seen them all. This world-weary expression was first recorded in 1811. A newer idiom expressing a very similar view is been there, done that, indicating that it is boring to repeat an experience once it has lost its novelty. For example, No, I don't wan't to climb Mount Washington; been there, done that. This idiom was first recorded in Australia in 1983 and was popularized in America in the 1990s through a widely aired commercial for a soft drink.

see one's way to Also, see one's way clear to. Find it possible or feel free to do something, as in Can you see your way to lending me the car for the week? or I finally saw my way clear to taking a vacation in Costa Rica. This expression, which transfers seeing one's path to something unobstructed, was first recorded in 1774.

see out

1. Also, see someone out; see someone to the door. Escort someone to the door, as in The butler saw him out, or She refused to see him to the door. This usage was first recorded in Shakespeare's Coriolanus (3:3): "Come, come, let's see him out at gates." Also see SEE

SOMEONE OFF. 2. Remain with an undertaking to the end; see SEE THROUGH, def. 2.

see reason

Adopt a sensible course of action, let oneself be persuaded, as in At ninety Grandma finally saw reason and gave up driving her car. This expression, which uses reason in the sense of "good sense," was first recorded in Shakespeare's 1 Henry IV (1:2).

see red

Become very angry, as in I saw red when I learned they had not invited Tom and his family. The precise allusion in this term is not known, but it probably refers to the long-standing association of the color red with passion and anger. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

see someone off

Take leave of someone, as in We saw our guests off at the door, or They came to the airport to see us off. This expres

sion was first recorded in 1809. Also see SEE OUT, def. 1.

see stars

Perceive flashing lights, especially after a blow to one's head. For example, A swinging door hit me and I really saw stars. [Late 1800s]

see the back of

Be finished with, as in I hope we've seen the back of Betsy; she is terribly rude. This idiom transfers literally seeing someone's back because they are leaving to a more figurative and permanent departure. Also see SEE THE LAST OF.

see the color of one's money

hand. see COLOR OF ONE'S MONEY.

see the elephant

Experience more than one wants to, learn a hard lesson; also, see combat, especially for the first time. For example, After the expedition lost two climbers in an avalanche, they had seen the elephant and turned back, or On his first tour of duty he saw the elephant. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1835, alludes to having seen all the sights one can see, including that rare beast, and returning home unimpressed or disappointed.

see the last of